STEP HistorySTEP Festival 2007
The STEP Festival 2007 ran from July 1 to 13. The 'Step up to the Mark' focus was chosen to highlight the benefit of involvement in performing arts as a way of building self-esteem and confidence as well as key skills in team-working, empathising with others and empowering young people to make the right decision in a difficult situation.
During the Festival 40 theatres and performing arts organisations provided 24 projects, resulting in 49 STEP funded activities for Southwark schools and communities during the Festival fortnight. 38 early years' centres, schools, colleges and youth groups participated including three community youth groups, two Pupil referral units and one college from out of borough.
 "Drama is very important. Some people are good at reading and writing. Some people are good at maths. And some people are good at drama, at acting and drama is very important because it allows us to experience things from another point of view." Simon Hughes MP, STEP Festival 2007
Left: Theatre Peckham 'The House Fairy', The Steam Industry’s Freedom Project at the Scoop
Left: Oval House Youth Theatre
An important event in the 2007 Festival was the STEP Youth Theatre Showcase which brought together the work of six local groups, offering the participants the opportunity to share and support one another’s work as well as to demonstrate the quality of the youth theatre in Southwark.
"It has made me realise how easy it is to include drama in the curriculum."
Participating teacher, Alma Primary School, STEP Festival 2007
"From this experience I’ve improved my acting abilities and techniques My confidence has improved through performing in front of others."
Participating students, Southwark College, STEP Festival 2007
"I enjoyed drama because we got to put our own ideas into it which helped us improve."
Participating student, Willowbank Pupil Referral Unit, STEP Festival 2007
"It was a really lovely workshop…The children responded well, were thoughtful and…caring. Lovely calm and thought provoking."
Participating early years’ worker, STEP Festival 2007
You can download the full STEP Evaluation Report 2007 here (pdf 401 kb) and you can also download the STEP Youth Theatre Showcase Programme (pdf 1mb).
Have a look at the STEP Festival 2007: Steps up to the Mark brochure (pdf 551kb) to see the different activities that were on offer.
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STEP Festival 2006
The STEP Festival took place during the first two weeks of July and saw the network of theatre companies and drama specialists involved in the Festival expanding on the previous year to include an even more diverse range of activities.
With an ever-expanding network of companies involved, STEP decided to introduce a focus for the 2006 Festival. Drawing on the feedback from the STEP Drama Champions Project (an INSET Programme for Southwark primary school teachers) and developed in consultation with Southwark Children's Services, STEP produced the focus of Steps to Writing.
Aiming to inspire young people and activate their imaginations, the festival focused on what enables participants to be able to write. You can download the full STEP Evaluation Report here (788kb) and the STEP Appendix (113kb). You can also download the Young Critics review (261kb) to see what the young people of Southwark made of the festival.
Have a look at the STEP Festival 2006: Steps to Writing (1mb) brochure to see the different activities that were on offer.
To view the documents above, you need Adobe Reader installed on your computer. Download
Adobe Reader free.
 "Congratulations on starting this initiative. The reason it's important for me, is because theatre isn't academic - you have to get up on your feet and participate and experience it and that chance to perform should be available to all of us. STEP can make that possible in Southwark. The beauty of theatre is that it allows us to discover our place in society. Why? Because all the world's a stage. " Sir Ian McKellen, STEP Festival 2004
STEP 2004 and 2005
STEP's pilot Festival in 2004
- 13 arts organisations showcased their education work, involving young people and
teachers in the exciting world of theatre
- 32 schools participated in 57 theatre events
Representing nearly a third of Southwark's schools, 1,922 young people and 603 adults took
advantage of workshops, live performances and a unique chance to work with some of the many
great theatre companies and venues in the borough
STEP Festival 2005
Building on the success of the pilot project, STEP Festival 2005 involved even more theatre
organisations and 45 schools.
"STEP has come at a perfect time for schools. The new Primary Strategy for Excellence and Enjoyment requires us to be aware of the different sparks that make learning vivid and real for different children and encourages us to take a fresh look at the curriculum and take account of the resources available in the wider community. STEP offers all of this and all we need to do is to reach out and embrace it."
Belinda Lithgow, headteacher, Tower Bridge Primary School
Contact us
Beccy Allen
STEP Creative Director
Tel: 020 7708 6124
step@theatrepeckham.co.uk
www.step-partnership.co.uk
c/o Theatre Peckham
Havil Street
London
SE5 7SD
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